"Press" clothing?

<------ "I'm with stupid"

I actually could see a potential benefit to wearing a shirt saying "Press" or "Photographer" on the back at events.

During a parade I was credentialed for (credential allowed you out on the parade route with the performers), I went to the side of the street to get some shots of the crowd interacting with people in the parade and the police officers and security in the area started doing crowd control to get everyone back on the sidewalk and out of the parade route. When they came to me, they did not see the pass hanging around my neck (they were credit card sized and not very easy to notice) and were making me back up with the crowd (missed a few shots I was waiting for in that area) until I lowered my camera and talked with one of the security guys to show the pass at which point he allowed me back out on the parade route. Maybe if I had a shirt as described above, they may have not bothered me but you never can be sure.

There were so many people out there with cameras (lot of pro gear), it was hard for them (security) to differentiate between credentialed shooters or GWC. A shirt like that may have helped in this situation but I don't see a shirt helping you get out on a parade route or into an event without an official credential.

tfd888 wrote in post #9704659
...
During a parade I was credentialed for (credential allowed you out on the parade route with the performers), I went to the side of the street to get some shots of the crowd interacting with people in the parade and the police officers and security in the area started doing crowd control to get everyone back on the sidewalk and out of the parade route. When they came to me, they did not see the pass hanging around my neck (they were credit card sized and not very easy to notice) and were making me back up with the crowd (missed a few shots I was waiting for in that area) until I lowered my camera and talked with one of the security guys to show the pass at which point he allowed me back out on the parade route. Maybe if I had a shirt as described above, they may have not bothered me but you never can be sure.

There were so many people out there with cameras (lot of pro gear), it was hard for them (security) to differentiate between credentialed shooters or GWC. A shirt like that may have helped in this situation but I don't see a shirt helping you get out on a parade route or into an event without an official credential.

That's an organisational issue for the event by not providing clear enough identification in the form of a vest/tabbard etc.

Doesn't PRESS mean the same thing as IRON?

I had to get my " press " vest through an agency,
due to the law reguarding photographing incidents on main roads / highways
but also my press I.D. is visable at all times.

as far as just making one ?
you might get in trouble

Any event worth getting in to will issue it's own press passes and other forms of identification. It might help you if you happen to be photographing a demonstration and a riot breaks out. The police should "ignore" you or move you to a safer place, rather than start beating on you or forcing you to leave. (LAPD got in a lot of trouble for ignoring the press when trying to clear a park during a May Day demonstration). I see no other benefit in wearing something like that, unless you are already in a venue and you just want to be more recognizable by staff. Or you happen to be embedded with the Marines in Afghanistan or something.

Mike Jagendorf wrote in post #9700115
I've seen t-shirts and sweatshirts for sale that have the word PRESS in big bold letters. Do you guys think wearing such a shirt would help in any way with getting into events, getting to the ideal spot to shoot from, or not being hassled by cops and security guards?

As has been mentioned, you will need bona fide credentials for any particular event. Because nobody I've ever seen with bona fide credentials ever wears such a shirt--and more importantly, because nobody cops and security guards have ever seen with bona fide credentials ever wears such a shirt--it's more likely to draw negative than positive attention.

If they're doing "shirts" or vests or whatever, they will issue you the type they recognize.

Surly it won't work as well as a Trilby hat with a press ticket sticking out of the hat band

neil_r wrote in post #9712252
Surly it won't work as well as a Trilby hat with a press ticket sticking out of the hat band

Isnt that what makes you a "press" photographer?

I miss my 'Speed Graphic 4x5"

neil_r wrote in post #9712252
Surly it won't work as well as a Trilby hat with a press ticket sticking out of the hat band

Dangit! That was my next try at getting into an event. Thanks for ruining it, Neil.